Camping near Bolton Landing, New York typically runs from mid-May through early October, with temperatures ranging from 40-80°F during the main season. The area sits at approximately 900 feet elevation along Lake George's western shore, where the forest meets the water. Many campgrounds have waterfront access but limited cell service, particularly at northern sites where the mountains block signals.
What to do
Paddling adventures: The Schroon River at Lake George Riverview Campground offers excellent kayaking opportunities. "We had a site on the river and it was beautiful! The river is the attraction at this Campground that provides hours of entertainment. My kids really enjoyed fishing& floating in the river," notes one visitor.
Bike trail access: Many campgrounds connect to the region's paved trail system. At Whippoorwill Campsites, "The private access to the bike path in the back is a nice addition. The paved bike path goes along the back of the campground and runs between Lake George and Glen Falls."
Horseback riding: Luzerne Campground is uniquely equipped for horse owners. "The only campground in all of New York that acquires to house back riders. There are campsites that also come with stalls for your horse!" This makes it a perfect base for trail riding in the surrounding forest.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Moose Hillock Camping Resorts stands out for its site layout. "The sites at this park are huge. You could have parked three RVs in our site. Added bonus is that there is nice separation between sites with trees and shrubs that block out your neighbors and provide lots of privacy."
Island camping experiences: Long Island Group — Lake George Islands offers a unique camping environment. "Worth a trip from just about anywhere. Absolutely beautiful and you can't beat camping on an island," reports one camper who enjoyed the boat-in camping.
Swimming options: Rogers Rock Campground features direct lake access. "I was lucky to book a site (#68) on the water. Beautiful views and morning sun. There is a nice trail to walk that follows along the shoreline. Each site has a fireplace and table."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most Lake George area campgrounds operate from mid-May through early October. "We camped in May, there were quite a few bugs. Mostly mosquitos that were quite pesky but I'm guessing they may die down in the season and also depend on if your site is near standing water."
Reservation timing: Hearthstone Point Campground fills quickly, especially waterfront sites. "The sites near the water fill up pretty quickly, so book well in advance if that's your choice. My entire family goes every year and we really look forward to our vacation away."
Transportation options: Many campgrounds offer trolley service to avoid parking issues. "The trolley will pick you up out front to go into town. This helps avoid all the traffic at Lake George by riding bikes into town."
Noise levels: Road noise can be an issue at some campgrounds. "Friday and Saturday night there was a ton of street noise from Rt9. I would advise to get a spot away from the road."
Tips for camping with families
Family entertainment options: Lake George Escape Campground offers extensive kids' programming. "So many activities, dance floor and kids meals comes in frisbee plates. You can mine for gold, chill by the pool or even try your shot at archery! Something for everyone here, teen nights, family days and everything in between."
Community fire pits: Social spaces help kids make friends. "There are fire pits at every campsite along with a large community fire pit to socialize with and meet other campers. It's a great way to let the kids find someone to play with while being supervised."
Swimming variety: Different swimming environments suit different ages. "Great pool to swim in with two water slides. Walk in style, large, heated, slides. Loved it. Nice playground. Came a bit pre-season last year for weekend."
Beach access: Lake swimming remains popular with families. "It has a small beach area right on Lake George, which is nice for swimming. The sites are good sized and wooded."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Lake George RV Park, location matters. "We were on site 58 which backed up to the splash park. It was one of the largest sites we've ever stayed in. The sand/dirt was a bit of a nuisance but not a deal breaker. The water/electric was positioned perfectly that we could have gotten away with using 5 foot connections."
Seasonal site availability: King Phillip's Campground caters to long-term RVers. "The campground was clearly devoted to seasonal campers (moving a camper/trailer into a site and leaving it there for the summer as a weekend home-away-from-home)."
Hookup considerations: Sewer connections vary in design. "The sewer hook-up was very weird and at an angle that was hard to secure my hose to. Instead of flowing straight down into the ground, it was at 45 degrees and took a big rock for me to secure it."
Site leveling: Preparation is key for RVs at some parks. "Sites are pretty inconsistent– meaning some are long and wide with good privacy but others are not. With over 400 campsites there are a lot to chose from and hard to know which is best for you unless you have been there before."
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